A foodie’s guide to Little India

Published on 29 Jun 2017.

In this bustling ethnic enclave, you’ll find everything from French food to tapas (Spanish-style appetisers), right next to traditional Indian restaurants and stores. Tantalise your taste buds, with this list of restaurants and eateries to visit.

Flavours of India

Explore the diverse regional cuisines of India, within Little India in Singapore.

Start with Mustard, which specialises in Bengali and Punjabi cuisines from the eastern and northern states in India. Punjabi food tends to be distinctively rich and buttery while Bengali flavours are fiery yet subtle. Must-tries include chingri maacher malai curry (coconut milk-based prawn curry) and amritsari machhi (deep-fried fish covered with chickpea batter).

Next, sample more North Indian dishes such as naan and chapati at Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine. Pair these flatbreads with butter chicken and other delicious gravy dips. Tip: If you can, dine in a large group to sample a bit of everything on the menu.

Can’t decide between North or South Indian cuisines? Visit Banana Leaf Apolo, a popular restaurant that serves dishes from both regions of India. True to its name, patrons savour food off banana leaves at this restaurant. Must-try items include the restaurant’s famed fish head curry, chicken masala (spicy yoghurt-based gravy) and tandoori chicken.

South Indian eatery and catering chain Komala Vilas is another hot favourite. Its Serangoon Road outlet was visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, while he was in Singapore. Popular dishes include the dosai (fermented rice and lentil crepe) and vadai (fried fritters). While you’re there, be sure to visit its sweets store nearby at 82 Serangoon Road, and sample its traditional desserts.

Head over to Khansama Tandoori Restaurant, to dine al fresco on a balmy evening. Our top picks include tandoori chicken (chicken roasted with yoghurt and spices) and naan (flatbreads). This two-storey North Indian restaurant has an air-conditioned section, too, which offers a cooling respite from the heat and fiery curries.

If you’re on the hunt for vegetarian dishes, head to Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant, which serves an eclectic mix of Singaporean, Thai as well as North and South Indian cuisines. Find nearly a hundred options ranging from starters like samosa (fried pastries) and palak paneer (cottage cheese cubes in a spinach gravy).

An international foodie tour

Beyond the authentic Indian-style restaurants, there are international options, too.

Try the Indian-Chinese fusion cuisine at Sakunthala Food Palace, for unusual dishes you might not find anywhere else in Singapore. Our favourites include the ever-popular fish head curry, as well as unexpected finds like seafood naan (flatbread stuffed with seafood).

For cutting-edge Spanish cuisine, try Esquina, a restaurant in the hip Keong Saik precinct. The menu is split into five categories—Snacks, Soil, Sea, Land and Desserts—and features sharing plates such as bacalao (salted cod) ‘sushi’ with roasted bell pepper, and braised beef and pork cannelloni.

To experience a menu inspired by Californian and Singaporean flavours, Morsels in the Dempsey enclave is a great choice. Run by local chef Petrina Loh, the restaurant serves Western-style dishes infused with local flavours and Japanese-style cuisine. Must-tries include the restaurant’s popular squid ink risotto, which is drizzled with salted egg yolk sauce.

For late-night snacks, our recommendation is Zsofi Tapas Bar on Dunlop Street. This popular bar offers a free portion of tapas (Spanish-style appetisers) to go with each drink that you order. Unwind with a tipple on the cosy rooftop spot after a day of exploring the sights and sounds of Little India with your fellow travellers.

Want more restaurant recommendations? Read this list for more dining options and jet set to these foodie locations!